Faces and Film

Much has been written about the face of Greta Garbo. Indeed, quite a monument for beauty. my students were commenting on her  "architectural face" and how lovely  it was  few days ago.  I teach EVOLUTION OF FASHION, a history course of clothing ranging from Mesopotamia to present day. I  teach mostly through film. Although the art form of film in itself is beautiful, our concern in this class is the costume design. This week, we watched THE WOMEN starring Norma Shearer and Joan Crawford. There seems to be a dislike for Crawford's "hard" look, and a feeling that it detracts from the gorgeous clothes by Gilbert Adrian made for this classic movie. ADRIAN, as was called, outfitted Crawford through most of his career. At any rate , I found some photos of Miss Crawdord taken before she was  "mommy dearest" ----- before she had the menacing brows.....taken before her lupine madness emerged.... She was, however, an AMERICAN beauty and a consummate actor. I try to focus on American Style right now in order to show my students that as Americans we have the talent and skill to create and be and do and imagine all that is authentic, original, rewarding, and fulfilling..... ; )